Sign Language for Babies - Keys to Succeed and a Few First Signs
Teaching children sign language is great for both parent and child. It is a great bonding activity, it is physically and cognitively stimulating, and, perhaps most importantly, it allows parents to communicate with their preverbal baby. In this article, we cover some keys for success with baby sign language. We also provide you with a few basic words so you can get start signing with your baby today!
When to Start
Every child is different, developing at his or her own pace. Most experts agree, however, that a baby will not be able to distinguish signs in any meaningful way prior to reaching 6 months in age. Generally, you may begin to introduce basic signs at age 6 to 10 months. Your child could start making signs as early as 6 months, but most don’t begin signing until age 10 months or later.
Recognize your baby’s cues and use your intuition to know when your baby is ready to start the learning process. When he starts sitting up and showing interest in the activities around him, baby is likely ready to begin learning signs.
First Words
Once you decide when to start signing with your baby, you must choose which words to start with. Choose a handful of basic words to begin teaching your baby. Do not overwhelm your baby, or yourself, with a large number of signs. At any given time, you should only be working on three to four new signs. Once your baby learns a sign you are working on, add another sign to teach him.
Always introduce and reinforce new signs at the appropriate moments in time. Again, working on just a few words introduce them before, during, and/or after an activity. A great time to teach “milk”, for example, is when you are giving baby milk and after he is finished drinking his milk. Conversely, you should never teach a sign out of context. If baby is playing with a toy truck, do not try teach the sign for milk. Notice the things that capture your child’s attention, and you will know what signs to teach.
Have Fun!
As with any endeavor, a key element for success for teaching baby to sign is attitude. As the caption says, Have Fun! Get excited and have a good time with your baby when you are showing him a sign. Teaching your child how to sign is more about attitude and persistence than any scientific technique.
Don’t get frustrated if baby is not signing back to you right away. If you recognize teaching opportunities, and you stick with it, your baby will be signing before you know it. Also, don’t get frustrated if your baby does not use the perfect technique. Rather, recognize what he is trying to say and praise him for it. Your baby will refine his technique as he continues to develop. The learning process should always be fun for both you and baby.
Everyone Involved
One of the most important keys to succeed in teaching baby sign language is to get others involved in the process. For most parents, lots of people take part in caring for your child on a daily basis, including daycare providers and other family members. These people have a big impact on your child. In our family, we could not get by without regular help from wonderful grandparents. Make signing a “family affair” and get both your immediate and extended family involved in the process.
Ready, Set, Sign!
Now that we have learned some basics for success with baby sign language, lets get started with a few basic words. The following signs are three of my favorites.
Mother
Obviously, baby needs to be able to call for Mommy and Daddy. We start with the ever popular “Mommy” (or “mama” where I come from). Seeing baby make this sign will make mommy so proud. Spread your hande in an “open-5.” While still holding your five fingers out, place your thumb on your chin.
Daddy
Of course, after baby learns to say mom, she must learn “Daddy.” Dad will be even prouder than Mom. Make an “open-5.” Next, leaving your fingers extended, place your thumb on your forehead.
Milk
Now that baby has her parents’ attention, she can ask for more “milk.” You may have seen this fun one on Meet the Fockers. Simply open and close the fist of one or both hands, pretending that you are milking a cow. Holy cow, it’s that easy! This will be a popular sign for your baby. She will use it with one of her favorite activities, drinking milk.
Have fun signing with your child. For over 100 signs, all demonstrated by our sign lanaguage expert and video host, check out our baby sign langauge book and DVD.
Filed under Family | Comment (0)Monogram Jewelry Is Still Spicing Up The Run Ways
Monogram Jewelry is a timeless classic. Although it is usually something specific to one person, it tends to stand the test of time. Passing on a piece of jewelry brandishing your initial is like passing your last name onto the next generation, it is in human nature…for posterity’s sake! Monogram jewelry can be a unique way to put a personal signature on life. Both men and women wear monogram pieces of jewelry, whether it is in the form of rings (signet rings), pendants, buckles, broaches, charms, bracelets, cuff links, money clips, and more.
Monogram rings tend to be the most popular pieces of personalized jewelry, which can be worn by both men and women. Kings and queens had monogram rings which they used to seal their laws and letters to others. This designated who they were. This started with a ring being passed down from generation to generation. Then slowly this changed from a special seal or crest type of ring to what is now known as the signet ring. As a time true tradition, this piece of jewelry is indeed timeless. Not only does it leave a distinguishable print of who you are for future viewers to see but it also is a letter sealer.
Some monogrammed items hold personal and individual meaning to the buyer, while others bring to mind someone else and work as great gifts. Men who like buckles, cuff links and money clips really love them personalized with their initials; it makes them unique and distinguishable. Women seem to enjoy pendants, broaches, bracelets, and charms with their initials. An identification bracelet is a perfect and unique gift for a newborn. Another gift idea for a piece of monogram jewelry would be a silver or gold key chain for that teenager who just got their driver’s license. The possibilities for one of a kind gifts are endless. Plus the gifts are cherished for many years to come.
Although people do not change their name that often, monogram jewelry can have a lot of character. The lettering that can be placed on the jewelry item can have many different fonts, from bold to script. This not only ads to the charm of personalization, it allows for personal tastes and even an expression of art.
When shopping for that unique item, whether it is for yourself or someone special, make monogram jewelry an option. It is simple and complex at the same time. Whoever receives the one of a kind item will feel special and remember the gift giver every time they wear or use the personalized jewelry. Monogram jewelry remains timeless and expressive and something to be enjoyed by all.”
Filed under Family | Comment (0)Everything You Need to Know About Double Baby Stroller
And no, I don’t have twins as offspring. I have something worse, a child and an infant. Running errands is just so hard having to hold the baby’s hand and having to push the infant’s stroller around. The real difficulty comes when the toddler comes when the toddler becomes restless and attempts to run off or when the tot gets exhausted and starts begging or screaming for me to carry him. Those days are but a distant nightmarish reminder of the past. I will now simply manage travelling with the dynamic couple as I am now proudly pushing a spanking new double baby stroller.
No, These Neat Wheeled Thingies Are not For Twins Only
While most double baby strollers come in those side-by-side and annoyingly-wide strollers that are designed to seat same-aged children, in other words: twins, some makers offer double baby strollers that ride 2 differently aged youngsters, an infant and a toddler. These double baby strollers are built in such a fashion that one child sits in front of the other giving it the same streamlined look and ease of maneuverability of a single baby push-chair. Mommies can now run around with their twosome in ease. Not to mention that these double baby strollers look better than most single strollers.
And No Again, The Toddler Will not Be Bothering Peacefully Sleeping Infant
He simply can’t. Both seats in a double baby stroller have their own canopy/umbrella therefore whether the baby seats in front or at the back, there is virtually no way that he’ll be ready to reach and interrupt the otherwise peace-loving infant.
So if you are sufficiently lucky enough to be blessed with 2 kids, the double baby stroller will be THE stroller to buy.
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